Some of those who witnessed how Black Consciousness movement transformed the country during the apartheid era, from left: UL Council Chair Pandelani Nefolovhodwe, legal expert Advocate Mojanku Gumbi, UL Vice-Chancellor and Principal Prof Mahlo Mokgalong, and media veteran Mathatha Tsedu
Speaking at the University of Limpopo’s (UL) 65th-anniversary celebration, where Black Consciousness (BC) was a key focus, various speakers highlighted the institution’s pivotal role in shaping this movement
The event highlighted how UL, during the turbulent 1960s, became a crucial platform for students to challenge the deep-seated racist structures of apartheid through the formation of the South African Student Organisation (SASO). A blacks-only student organisation, the movement became a vital tool in confronting the oppressive policies of the government and universities of the time.
Dr Mosibudi Mangena, former President of the Azanian People’s Organisation (AZAPO)
During an event titled ‘The State of South Africa – Through the Lens of Black Consciousness’, as part of UL’s 65 years celebration festivities, Dr Mosibudi Mangena, former President of the Azanian People’s Organisation (AZAPO), paid tribute to UL’s enduring legacy. Dr Mangena lauded the University for celebrating its 65 years and commended its historic role in nurturing BC philosophy. He remarked that philosophy had a profound influence on the University and its alumni.
“The South African Student Organisation was one of the foremost proponents of this philosophy, and it was birthed here at UL,” said Dr Mangena. He further emphasised that the militant activism of UL students contributed significantly to the anti-apartheid struggle. “Black Consciousness,” he noted, “is an attitude of mind, a way of life that empowers its followers with a positive worldview, rejecting the toxic narrative of inferiority, slave mentality, and colonial thinking that plagues many oppressed societies.” He stressed the duality of oppression—psychological and physical—suggesting they are as inseparable as the body and the mind.
Advocate Mojanku Gumbi, a distinguished UL alumna and legal expert
In an intriguing address, Advocate Mojanku Gumbi, a distinguished UL alumna and legal expert, reflected on the continued socio-economic inequalities that persist despite the efforts of heroes who believed in BC like Onkgopotse Tiro and Steve Biko. Adv Gumbi, who also serves as Special Adviser to the UN Secretary-General, lamented the country’s slow progress and the structural challenges that remain. She pointed to South Africa’s high unemployment rate, stating, “After 30 years of democracy, 33.5% of our population remains unemployed, with 60% of those being youth.”
Adv Gumbi also highlighted the ongoing disparities in education and land ownership. “Despite compulsory schooling and the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), inequality remains stark. We also have 32.6% of a population that relies on social grants, and 72% of the land is still in white hands, showcasing the disproportionality of wealth and race in this country. In addition, many top companies remain controlled by white capital,” she stated. She argues that a new generation of leaders, with the same courage and vision as Steve Biko, is needed to drive genuine emancipation and socio-economic change.
Mbulelo Ketye, an active participant in student politics at UL in 1982, shares his extensive insights on Black Consciousness
In a panel discussion that followed, former student activist Mbulelo Ketye, who was a student activist at UL in 1982, shared his reflections on the struggles that BC activists faced. He recalled how, at the time, black students were often hesitant to join the movement, and some even sought to dismantle it.
“We were harassed by people who were bought off by colonialists to burn our books here at the university. The conscientisation work we undertook had to be done under extreme counter-revolutionary acts from our own people, backed by the colonial establishment,” Ketye recounted.
He noted that the attacks on BC led to significant setbacks, resulting in the loss of lives and property. “Many people were afraid to join the movement because their homes were being burnt, and their lives were threatened. These attacks have had a lasting impact, leaving us with a minimal presence of BC in today’s society.”
The panel discussion, which included Liberation Journalist Mathatha Tsedu and Social Activist Pule Monama, was moderated by Victor Kgomoeswana, UL’s Executive Director of Marketing and Communication. Kgomoeswana emphasised that “the University was fulfilling its mandate by bringing together academics, policymakers, and the broader public to engage in meaningful discussions that stand to contribute to the country’s development.”
Academics, government representatives, policymakers, and the general public gathered in large numbers to celebrate UL’s 65th anniversary while engaging in a discourse on Black Consciousness